Question

Use substitution to determine whether the ordered pair (–2, –3) is a solution of the equation x^2 – y = 7

I say no, but am still not sure because the signs are confusing. Am I correct? Thanks!

Answer 1

let's see if the point satisfies the equation
Left Side
= x^2 - y
= (-2)^2 - (-3)
= 4 + 3
= 7

Right Side = 7

Mmmmhhh?

Answer 2

I guess this makes sense but I got -1 for the answer. Did I confuse the signs?

Answer 3

Yes. You confused the signs. Perhaps you thought that -2^2 was -4. But when you multiply two negative numbers, the answer must be positive.